He remembers back when he worked for $1.00 per day, but you could buy alot for a $1.00 too.He bought his fathers 80 acre farm in 1945 after farming on shares with his father for a few years and continued farming the rest of his life on this centenial farm.

He also was a welder with a small welding shop that neighbors brought their broken machinery to be repaired at usually a very reasonable charge. He also built flower bulb graders ‎(for Zirk Welding)‎ in his shop for a few years to supplement the farm income.

His farming was made a little more difficult for 3 years ‎(1953-1956)‎ during which time he owned a grocery store/resturant in Lawrence Michigan with his brother Earl. The store was know as "Rutt's Grocery", the previous owner's name was Rutt and the name was never changed.

He started doing some wood working in later years to supplement their income, mostly making children's toys, lawn ornaments, bird houses etc. and attended local bazar's to sell them. At age 86 his was diagnoisted with prostate cancer but treatment was succesful and the cancer was in remission in just a few months. In 2004 at age 92 he is still doing some wood working but has problems with his back causing him to use a walker to get around. Mom ‎(age 90)‎ and him are still taking care of each other and living on the farm with some assistance from their sonand daughter.

BURIAL: Melvin went to be with the Lord on Jan. 19th after two days in the Watervliet Community Hospital. He died of natural causes and went peacefully in his sleep. The funeral was held at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford, Mi. The Rev Sandra McNary and Rev Wayne Babcock officated and interment was at Keeler Cemetery in Keeler, Mi. on Jan 24th 2005. Paulbearers were: Robert Paul, Greg Danneffel, Butch Krugman, Robert Demske, John Bisnett and James Danneffel. Food and fellowship was at Keeler Kegin Keeler Mi. following the grave side service and was attended by approximately 70.